Nearfield Instruments Targets IPO in Next Three Years
AMSTERDAM - Nearfield Instruments plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) within the next three years, its CEO Hamed Sadeghian revealed to Reuters. The move aims to leverage growing adoption of its measurement tools and potentially add another publicly listed computer chip equipment maker to the Netherlands' roster.
"We aim for an IPO in 2027, 2028 at the latest," said Sadeghian. "The market situation will determine the timing." The chip industry, currently buoyed by an AI-driven boom, is known for its cyclical nature.
Based in Rotterdam, Nearfield boasts Samsung among its clients. This week, it announced multiple orders from a U.S. customer and plans to open offices there. Sadeghian declined to name the customer.
The Netherlands is home to several semiconductor equipment manufacturers, including ASML, Besi, and ASM International. Founded in 2016, Nearfield raised $148 million from investors including Walden Catalyst and Temasek in July to support its expansion.
Nearfield's measurement technology employs atomic force microscopy for silicon wafer analysis, allowing it to operate at nanoscale dimensions. While its tools are primarily used for advanced logic chips, Sadeghian noted increasing interest from memory chip and legacy chip manufacturers for automotive and power applications. Innovations in these areas continue to drive demand for precise alignment, highlighting the importance of metrology tools like those provided by Nearfield.